The Upward Ripple

                                                            *****

Nate was not sure whether to be proud or jealous as Cynthia made her way into the gala. She was a sight to behold. Perfection in every form. Every stride she took getting herself closer to him was a glorious one, one that made his heart beat a little harder and little faster. He had never wanted anything more than to simply stay in there and take in her beauty. Her soft but warm smile. The dress she had on was a perfect complement to his own dark tux and burgundy shirt. He slowly made his way to where she was and gave her a long, lingering look before he kissed her cheek.

“You look beautiful,” he said in a soft voice. “I have half a mind to gouge out every man’s eyes that is staring at you right now but then again, knowing that they all want to be me gives me some kind of joy.”

Cynthia giggled.

“Come on, jealousy does not befit a man of your standards,” she said before he led her into the ball room.

“Would you like something to eat? A drink perhaps?” he asked, and she bit her lip.

“I don’t know. I am a little too nervous to eat or drink.”

“Are you kidding? That is the best excuse to get some alcohol in you.” Nate took two glasses from one of the waiters who was walking past them. “At least have some bubbly. It would look weird if you didn’t have a glass in your hand.”

Cynthia smiled and took one of the glasses from him.

“Thank you.”

She took a sip and looked around the ball room. She did not know a lot of the people there but simply by the way they dressed and carried around, she could tell that they were people who mattered. She’d heard titles like Mr. Mayor, Assistant District Attorney and even Congressman being thrown around. It was not until that moment that it all sunk in. Nate Duncan was not just rich. He was filthy rich. Donald Trump rich. Maybe even more. She could not help but wonder if that was the reason so many people were willing to come to that event, just to kiss his ass. After all, Deloris had pointed out that having the Duncan backing was a big deal in both the business and political circles. There was no other reason she could think of that all those people had turned up and all in such short notice.

“I am sorry that I had to drag you out to this thing, but I promise you, after my speech, we can leave,” Nate whispered in her ear, snapping her out of the state of mind she was in.

“No, I like this,” she said. “I didn’t think I would, but I like it.”

He looked at her and smiled.

“Really?”

She shrugged.

“Yeah. It’s all so different and I guess different is good for now.”

He took a sip of his own champagne and slipped a possessive arm around her waist. She liked it when he did that. They may not have defined what they were just yet, but he was no shy of showing the world just what he thought about her. She was still marveling at the crowd and the art and everything else when a man suddenly walked up to Nate and whispered something to him.

“Sure… now’s good,” Nate muttered before he turned to look at Cynthia.

“Everything okay?” she asked, and Nate exhaled loudly.

“Yeah, it’s just…. Deloris and Leon were supposed to be here… “he looked around.

“They are here,” she said. “I came in the same car with Deloris.”

“Yeah, I know. It is just… I have to make my speech now, but I really don’t like the idea of leaving you here all by your lonesome.”

Cynthia grinned.

“I can take care of myself you know,” she pointed out. “Unless your speech is going to go on for an entire hour, I believe the bubbly and finger snacks will do quite well.”

He looked into her eyes for a long time before he leaned in and for a moment there, Cynthia wondered if he was going to kiss her again. He touched her chin ever so gently.

“The pigs in a blanket are great. So are the cucumber sandwiches,” he said in a whisper before he walked to the front.

Cynthia took another sip of her wine and began wondering where Leon and Deloris could have disappeared to. It was not as if the place was so big and the thought of where they could have disappeared to make her gag a little. It did not take a rocket scientist to figure out what two young people in love who might have suddenly disappeared from view were up to. She was still looking around while sipping on her drink when she saw a familiar face walking towards her. She did not know what it was about that man that sent a chill down her spine. She tried getting away from him, disappearing into the crowd but the man seemed hell bent on getting to where she was. Nate had already begun his speech, but Cynthia was too preoccupied to hear anything he was saying.

“This is ridiculous!” she thought when she suddenly stopped.

She was right in the middle of the crowd and she was done running. She was done trying to get away from the mystery man. Whatever the reason he looked so familiar was, she was going to find out the easiest way possible. She was going to ask him. She made her way from the crowd and walked over to one of the beverage stations and sure enough, the mystery man followed her there.

“Who the hell are you and why do you keep on following me?” she demanded.

The man grinned. He swirled the drink in his glass as his eyes ran up and down her body. It was almost as if he was undressing her with his eyes. She could hardly stand it.

“You don’t remember me, do you?” the man asked, and she frowned.

“Should I?” she was genuinely concerned that the man acted so friendly to her. She almost felt guilty that she did not know who he was.

“Oh, come on, I know it has been a few years, but I do remember you quite well, Cindy,” the man said, and Cynthia’s blood ran cold in her veins.

Cindy was the name she had used when she was in the escort service and when that man said that name, she suddenly realized why he made her so uncomfortable. He was the one and only man she had dated in that agency. The man who had taken her innocence. No, the man who had stolen her innocence.

“Stay away from me,” she hissed.

“Why would I do that?” he asked, and she held the glass in her hand even tighter. “You gave me an experience that I have not found with anyone else… an experience I could only hope to have unless of course…” he ran his finger along the length of her upper arm, and she pulled away disgusted at his very request. “Come on, baby. Don’t you remember how I tasted in your mouth? The way I made you feel?”

She squeezed the glass tighter.

“Why don’t we just go upstairs to one of the suites. I’ve ten thousand dollars if you give me an hour,” he went on and suddenly, the glass broke in her hand drawing attention of everyone around them.

At that moment, Cynthia became aware of her surroundings once again. Nate was done with his speech and people were clapping. Deloris was suddenly by her side as was Leon who was exchanging pleasantries with the man who was nothing short of her abuser. Deloris had an arm around Cynthia’s shoulder, and she was talking to her, but Cynthia’s body had lost all function. Her feet could not move, and her vocal chords were playing a sick version of hide and seek. By the time Nate got to where they were, Cynthia’s eyes were all welled up. One look at her and thankfully, he had the sense to get her out of there.